Initial Jewelry Making Purchases

Welcome to the world of jewelry!

by:  DK Designs Jewelry

Now that you have your tools, the next step is to purchase some of the essentials to creating your jewelry.  The initial investment can be quite low, if you show thrifty and watch sales.  Most of the local craft stores have these essentials and with a few coupons and some shopping around, you can be on your way to having your own jewelry started immediately.

Keep in mind that jewelry items are most often small and can be easily dropped and lost.  Carpeting under your work space can be a problem if you drop small beads or findings.  The best flooring is a tight, no pile carpet or rubber matting.  Items will hit and stop without rolling far away.  Pets and small children may also be attracted to sparkling items such as beads so be sure to keep them out of your work space.

FINDINGS:  These are essential items known in the jewelry world that form the foundation of your items.  They can be hooks for earrings to bails for pendants.  "Findings" is a general term meaning, component parts.  When you go into a store and look in this section, there are hundreds of choices.  Keep in mind, the kind of pieces you want to create and search for matching findings.  For example: Earrings will require some kind of hook or wire to hang the design from.  Earring backs are necessary in most earring designs that are of a post nature.

The findings are generally broken up by metal color: golden, silver tone, copper and gun-metal.  It is sometimes helpful to buy a larger package that offers a variety of these so that you can choose when making your pieces.

The next essential items are the fun part... the BEADS.  With thousands of them to choose from, the choices are up to you and can be very overwhelming.  Keep your ideas in mind and stick to that for now.  You can increase your reserves later but as you are getting started, try to focus on your ideas for your creations before branching out.  I like to peruse the craft stores for my beads but I often stop at garage sales and antique stores for that one-of-a-kind item that would really make my necklace or accessory POP!  Some of the best places to find beads are in antique stores or a grandparents attic.  Old necklaces and clothing can have some of the most beautiful things on them.  WARNING: don't throw out the other items if you take something apart.  These pieces get put into my reserves so that I can use them on something else I create.

Lastly, some WIRE.  Wire, wire wire!  I love wire!  No artist is without it.  Select a material that favors your design, to start with.  Do go to far out getting tons of different kinds.  You may find that a certain style and gauge are your favorite and never use anything else.  Keep it simple.  Buy just enough to cover your needs.  An easy gauge is 20 and is fairly pliable without breaking.  It is a bit thicker and offers fingers some grip for those of you just starting out.  Later, you may want to graduate to different sizes and hard vs soft inside metals.  We will touch on that later.  For now, pick something esthetically pleasing to your design.

With a few simple pieces, you can be off and running.

Here are some great sites to help you get started:

http://www.guyotbrothers.com/jewelry-findings-glossary.htm

http://www.jewelrysupply.com/

http://www.ninadesigns.com/articles/wholesale-jewelry-findings.html

 

Thanks for visiting.  Please be sure to add your comments and check back.  I will be posting more tips shortly.  Thank you - Donna

Hancrafting your own jewelry

Welcome to the world of jewelry!

by:  DK Designs Jewelry

The world of jewelry can be overwhelming at first.  You walk down the aisles of your local craft stores to find beads and findings galore!  It can be a bit daunting.  But have no fear.  Getting started is simple and all you really need are some important tools and your imagination.

Let's start with the tools.
The most basic tools, and those that I use the most, are some "snips", pliers, and a magnifying glass.  It's best to set up your area ahead of time so that you have a clear space to create and leave your items unattended to return later.  Using a bright light is also, very helpful.  I use a lighted magnifying glass on a long arm.  It moves into place when I need it and helps me to make fine connections and when gluing or fusing.

The SNIPS are best found at any hardware store.  They are used for cutting wire and metal.  I use a small set that I can manipulate in my hand.  Too big and they become cumbersome.  Too small and they wear down easily making it difficult to cut thicker items.

The PLIERS are also in hardware stores and craft stores.  The craft suppliers have a range of prices from sets of pliers to individual.  I typically use two pairs at a time, one in each hand.  So the best are "Needle nose pliers".  Get a fairly good quality pair as the lesser expensive ones tend to break or become sticky to open and close.

Finally, the MAGNIFYING GLASS I use has a light, as I mentioned.  I can look through it easily and move it out of the way without effort.  I use it for light as well as up close items so it is handy to have.  The style with an attachment to clamp to your work station is convenient because it has a long arm and doesn't use room on your desk area.  You might try a drafting store or even online for this item.  Most craft stores, do not offer this item.  I got mine from an engineering store.  It was used and the price was outstanding! 

Here are some great sites to help you get started:

http://www.jewelry-making-how-to.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AivtpL-Qps

http://www.jewelry-making-resource.com/how-to-make-jewelry.html

Thanks for visiting.  Please be sure to add your comments and check back.  I will be posting more tips shortly.  Thank you - Donna

For beautiful designs visit: DK Designs Jewelry